PRIME Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Russian President Vladimir Putin today held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Summit (EES).

The leaders discussed, among others, efforts to bolster ties between the countries.

During the 30-minute talks in the port city of Vladivostok overlooking the Golden Horn Bay, near Russia’s borders with China and North Korea, Dr Mahathir and Putin spoke about trade and innovation.

They previously met on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit held in Singapore last year.

“Partnerships in the business circles of Russia and the Asia-Pacific region are growing stronger,” said the EES organiser in a statement to the summit’s participants.

Malaysia and Russia enjoy more than 50 years of cordial diplomatic relations. – Bernama, September 5, 2019.